NEW Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen has labelled rugby’s new lineout law a “mistake”.

Last weekend’s opening Tri-Nations match between the All Blacks and South Africa in Wellington, which the hosts won 19-8, was the first international to be played under the Experimental Law Variations.

In addition to the ELVs used in the Super 14, the new rules also included no restriction on numbers in the lineout and being allowed to collapse the maul – both of which have drawn criticism.

The law allowing the hauling down of mauls has raised concerns about player safety, particularly at a lower level.

And Hansen believes the lineout changes have been introduced purely to help referees by taking away the need for them to count numbers.

“They (the International Rugby Board) have possibly made a mistake,” said Hansen, a former coach of Wales.

“The contest in the line-out has been flipped over to one side. The defending team has got an advantage.

“Currently I think they are too much in favour of the defending side and the decision to make those laws has been based around making it easier for the referee so he doesn’t have to count numbers.

“As we play more games we’ll get better at exploiting them, both on attack and defence.”

The All Blacks lost seven of their lineout throws in Wellington, mostly in the second half when the Springboks stacked numbers to compete, while the Springboks also struggled to win quality ball.

The laws are set to be trialled globally from August 1.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry believes the game lacks structure under the new laws, but felt the ELVs would benefit his side.

“The guys enjoy playing the ELVs, let’s forget about the two new ones,” he said.

“If you asked the All Blacks what they enjoy playing the most they’d rather play with the new ELVs in place. They enjoy that game. It’s more open, it’s more athletic.

“From coaches who have coached the game a long time, we find it less structured and I guess that creates challenges in itself.

“It’s a game where you have to play off the cuff a lot more and play what you see. It’s not as structured as the old laws were.

“The two new ones, the jury is still out, still waiting to see how sides cope with them.”